Recent variations of Larsen Ice Shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, observed by Envisat

Areal changes of Larsen Ice Shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, and the response of the outlet glaciers after the ice shelf disintegration events in 1995 and 2002 are investigated using ERS SAR and Envisat ASAR data up to July 2004. After a decrease of 8050 km2 between January 1995 and March 2002, the ice shelf section Larsen B decreased by another 830 km2 in the last two years. In addition, 215 km2 of grounded ice were lost at the major outlet glaciers of former Larsen A and B, contributing to sea level rise. Motion fields of glaciers above Larsen A and Larsen B were analysed by means of ASAR data from 2004 using amplitude correlation and compared with 1995 and 1999 InSAR motion maps of the ERS tandem mission. Similar to the rapid response of glaciers above Larsen A, significant acceleration of the large tributary glaciers of Larsen B was observed soon after the disintegration of the ice shelf. ERS SAR and ASAR data are also used for mapping the catchment basins and flow field of Larsen C, the large southern ice shelf section.